Functional traits and niche-based tree community assembly in an Amazonian forest.
It is debated whether species-level differences in ecological strategy, which play a key role in much of coexistence theory, are important in structuring highly diverse communities. We examined the co-occurrence patterns of over 1100 tree species in a 25-hectare Amazonian forest plot in relation to field-measured functional traits. Using a null model approach, we show that co-occurring trees are often less ecologically similar than a niche-free (neutral) model predicts. Furthermore, we find evidence for processes that simultaneously drive convergence and divergence in key aspects of plant strategy, suggesting that at least two distinct niche-based processes are occurring. Our results show that strategy differentiation among species contributes to the maintenance of diversity in one of the most diverse tropical forests in the world.
Kraft
Nathan J B
NJ
Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Valencia
Renato
R
Ackerly
David D
DD
D044822:Biodiversity; D017753:Ecosystem; D004484:Ecuador; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012639:Seeds; D014197:Trees / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014934:Wood
D009584:Nitrogen